BellaSugar

Oh Happy Day: Customize Your Own Bottle of Fragrance

BellaSugar — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 13:00:50 -0800

If you haven't yet heard the word, Clinique has a super-cute gimmick for the 2007 holiday season. Right now, you can customize a bottle of Happy eau de parfum ($52) with a picture of your choice.

Happy is an upbeat citrus and floral fragrance with notes of of grapefruit, boysenberry bush flower and Hawaiian wedding flower. I know a lot of women who love it (and quite a few guys who do, too). Plus, early-bird holiday shoppers will like this: door-to-door delivery only takes ten business days. I think this would be a sweet gift for someone you want to make very happy-and besides, you know it won't be returned!

All the New Moon You Need

BellaSugar — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:00:00 -0800

You might have noticed that at Sugar HQ, it's New Moon galore, and so that you can get your fill of Twilight mania, too, I've rounded up six of our most fun, informative posts on the subject. It's all here, whether you want to look like Bella to impress your own Edward, covet Ashley Greene's gorgeous hair and makeup, are interested in a few awesome Twihard tattoos, or just want to see how Twi-mad people on Etsy have gone. Take a look and get in the spirit.

Get Bella Swan's Simply Beautiful Look	13 Twihards Tell Tales of Their Fan Tattoos	20 Fan-Made Twilight Beauty Items
Re-Create Kristen Stewart's 15 Coolest Looks	Re-Create 15 of Ashley Greene's Best Red Carpet Looks	Twilight Fever Reaches the Grooming Aisle

Hair Color Dos and Don'ts: Must-Have Tips For Perfect Results

Sponsor — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:30:01 -0700

When it comes to at-home hair color, all products are NOT created equal. Knowing what to look for can make the difference between so-so and stunning. Here are some secrets, including special tips from celebrity hair colorist and L’Oréal Paris expert Christophe Robin, for achieving beautiful, professional-looking results on your own.

DO choose a shade that complements your skin tone and eyes. “If you have fair skin and blue, green or gray eyes, your complementary shades will have ash or beige tones,” Christophe advises. “If your skin tone is golden, olive or dark and you have dark eyes, your complementary shades will have gold or red hues.” Have characteristics of both warm and cool tones? “Go with whichever is your preference.”

DO stick close to your own hair color if you want a subtle change. “If you’re not sure which shade to choose, go just 1 or 2 levels lighter or darker than your natural color,” says Christophe. “This will give you a noticeable change that’s not too dramatic and is easy to maintain.”

DO pick a product that’s specifically formulated to cover gray hair, which can resist coloring.

DO use products specifically designed to preserve your color, like Vive Pro Color Vive Shampoo and Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair.

DO choose a gentle formulation and indulge in regular deep-conditioning treatments.

DON’T be afraid to take a risk. Hair color offers a fun way to express your personality and experiment with a new style or attitude. “When a woman goes darker with her color, she’ll feel stronger,” Christophe notes. “When she goes lighter, she’ll feel more sexy and sensual.”

DON’T skimp on time. You might be tempted to cut corners to save a few minutes, but resist the urge. It’s crucial to allow the proper amount of time for each step - especially when you are going for a dramatic color change “You can’t rush hair color,” Christophe cautions.

DON’T judge a box by its cover. Although it’s a common misconception, you shouldn’t expect your hair color to turn out exactly like the model’s on the box. “Your personal result will be determined by the condition of your hair, your current hair color and the shade you’ve selected,” says Christophe.

DON’T overdo it. Coloring too often can compromise hair’s health and yield uneven results. A touch-up every four to six weeks is all that’s required to keep your shade looking fresh and vibrant.

DON’T forget the SPF. You protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun, so why let your hair take the heat? “The sun is the number one enemy of color-treated hair,” says Christophe. Use shampoos and conditioners that contain UV filters to block damaging rays and prevent fade-out.

Are You Really Aging Like Your Mother?

BellaSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:00:33 -0700

This story popped up recently, and I wasn't gonna cover it at first because the research underpinning it is narrow and lends itself to a lot of pat, stereotypical conclusions about mothers and daughters. The story seems to be reporting wholesale that we're all going to age just like our mothers (dun dun dun!), so I figured I had to clear a few things up so you get the real info.

Look, this study is based on data culled from just 10 sets of mothers and daughters who were brought in because they were already similar-looking. It's junk science, seriously. I hope I do age like my mom (the lady is fine, I tell you, F-I-N-E fine), but since I'm a totally different individual and not some fembot clone of her, all bets are off. We could create a wider, probably more accurate study of our own here, so that's exactly what I'm doing. Are you aging like your mom? Are you aging at all? Let's create a little "science," OK?

Get Your Beauty Problems Solved in the BellaSugar Community

BellaSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:01:51 -0700

We're big on helping one another out here in the Bella community, and I don't want you missing out on the great advice that's getting passed around in our groups. We've got so many great groups designed to help you have more fun (and get you out of a jam), and if you have a good idea, you can start one of your own in a snap. If you want a little help, here's GeekSugar's simple guide to creating one.

Here are some great groups that provide lots of tips and will even help you fix your beauty disasters (which I always appreciate):

Problem Solved!-Have a beauty dilemma? Post it and let other members help you with their suggestions.
The Beauty Black List-Had a truly awful experience with a product? Warn others here.
The Makeup Swap Shoppe-Given a palette you'll never use or a shade of lipstick that's just no good on you? Why not swap it with another reader for something new you might love?
Natural Hair and Curly Hair Resources-Are you curly and thinking about going natural? This group has all the tips and support you could want.
DIY Beauty-Want to do it yourself? These ladies want to help.

Halloween How-To: The New Moon Volturi

BellaSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 07:00:58 -0700

Whether you're a Twihard or not, you have to admit, Dakota Fanning looks pretty cool as a vampire. As Jane, a sadistic member of the Volturi vamp coven, she has the sexy-scary thing down pat. If you're considering going as a New Moon character for Halloween, she's probably the best choice. Why? Because even if you've never heard of the Bella and Edward saga, Jane looks badass. For suggestions on re-creating this look, read more.

DIY Spa Treatment: Depuffing Cucumber Honey Eye Nourisher

BellaSugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:00:45 -0700

From making your own bubble bath to a wide variety of ideas for creating your own body scrubs, isn't it apparent that I love me some DIY formulations? Recently I came across this Cucumber Honey Eye Nourisher recipe from celebrity esthetician Christopher Watt for Honey.com, and immediately realized it was a perfect addition to our DIY coverage. Not only does this four-ingredient mask help reduce puffiness around the eye area, but it also soothes and cools the delicate skin surrounding your peepers.
To make, first steep chamomile tea in boiling water and set aside until cooled. Blend together one tablespoon aloe vera gel, two teaspoons peeled and seeded cucumber, and 1/2 teaspoon of honey in a blender or food processor. Next, add 1/2 teaspoon of chamomile tea and blend until smooth. Each batch makes four treatments and can be stored in an air-tight container for up to a week.

Do you love saving a buck (or several) with your own homemade recipes as much as I do? I've got just the place for you to go. The Do-It-Yourself Beauty group is dedicated to finding fun and unique ways of using household items in your daily beauty regimens.

More Tips For Making Curly Hair Gorgeous

BellaSugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:00:19 -0700

Years ago, when hair expert Keneesha Hudson allowed her curly locks to go natural, it proved to be a positive experience. "I feel a great sense of freedom wearing my own hair," she told me. "It definitely has a much more organic feel to it. It doesn't hold me back from any activity - from anything," she added. As owner of Urbanbella salon in Atlanta, Keneesha educates women about embracing their own curl. She's already offered us tips on taking care of curly locks, as well as taming unruly strands, and now it's time for tips on cuts and styling. To find out her sage advice, just read more.

Put a Modern Twist on a '90s Brick-Red Lip

BellaSugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:00:38 -0700

When I think of mustard-colored clothing paired with a brick-red lip, I can't help but think to the days of the early 1990s, when shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel Air and Saved by the Bell ruled the airwaves. But at yesterday's Power of Women luncheon in LA, Anne Hathaway proved that the dated color combo doesn't have to be so dated after all. By keeping the brown undertones associated with a traditional brick-red lipstick by the wayside, and going for a shade with both light red and golden undertones instead, this version of brick red is fresh and modern. Lisa Turtle would approve. To get the look, use more than one lip product to create your own custom-made blend. Even the coolest of us all can rock this shade, thanks to the flattering specks of gold tones and soft-red tint. Here are some suggestions below:

Makeup Artist Robin Black Talks Fall Trends: Part 1

BellaSugar — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:00:00 -0700

If you're a fan of M.I.A.'s daring maquillage or Chloë Sevigny's bold makeup, you already know Robin Black's work. The look she creates, like the perfectly lined pout, pretty blush, and huge '80s sunglasses she styled M.I.A. up in for a performance last month, is defined by its classic prettiness but with a strong element that makes it pop. For some expert post-Fashion Week analysis, I spoke with Black, who runs the Face section of LA's Warren-Tricomi salon and does some beauty writing of her own, about how the looks we saw on the ramps are going to translate into magazines (also known as editorial) and eventually onto the drugstore shelves. We covered a lot of ground, and she has some amazing tips for turning runway makeup into real-way looks. To find out how anyone can wear black lipstick and other juicy tidbits, just keep reading